• 목록
• 답변
• 글쓰기
• 게시판 리스트 옵션
  • 수정
  • 삭제

Mesothelioma Cases

People diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek out an expert. Depending on the location of the tumor and how much it has spread, doctors are able to offer patients a range of treatment options.

Most mesothelioma cases occur in women and men who were exposed to asbestos materials. This includes miners, asbestos workers, railroad, auto repair and shipyard workers.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mesothelioma requires the use of a variety of tests. Doctors look over your medical history and perform an examination to look for signs. They also run tests of imaging and blood markers to diagnose mesothelioma. A tissue biopsy is the only sure way to make a mesothelioma diagnosis, but it is often not the first test that doctors do.

Mesothelioma is most prevalent in the pleura, or lining around the lungs and chest cavity. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma pleural is the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity, referred to as pleural effusion. This can be seen on chest X-rays or CT scan and helps doctors determine where to biopsy the affected area.

For a mesothelioma biopsy, doctors can use the use of a needle or surgical procedure to remove a small amount of the affected tissue. The biopsy is then looked at under a microscope to determine whether the cells are cancerous. The cells of mesothelioma are divided into three distinct types, depending on their appearance under a microscope. They are epithelioid (epidermoid) and the sarcomatoid (sarcomatoid) and mixed (biphasic).

Depending on your symptoms and the type of mesothelioma you have, your doctor may recommend various imaging scans or blood tests. A complete blood count (CBC) determines the level of white and red blood cells as well as platelets. It can help doctors detect mesothelioma signs, for example, the presence of elevated levels of an enzyme known as Lactate Dehydrogenase.

An echocardiogram is a specific kind of ultrasound that shows how well the heart works. It is used to detect pericardial msothelioma which can affect the lining around the heart.

A chest CT scan uses x-rays a computer and a computer software to create an image of your lungs. It can help doctors spot mesothelioma tumors and determine how the thickness of the tissue is.

To diagnose pleural mesothelioma, lung function or pulmonary function test could be required to determine how well the lungs work. This is done using a flexible tube, also known as the bronchoscope, placed in the mouth or throat and then down the airway. The bronchoscope is fitted with a camera and may be connected to a large monitor that allows doctors to see the lungs and the surrounding area. The test can take between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the nature and location of the cancer. The majority of mesothelioma cases are pleural meaning they develop within the lining of the lungs (pleura). About 10% of mesothelioma cases are peritoneal, and they develop in the lining surrounding the abdomen. Both types of mesothelioma result in difficulty breathing and coughing, chest or abdominal pain, and fatigue.

Mesothelioma is a rare disease and many doctors may not be familiar with its symptoms and signs. Patients must bring a complete list of symptoms to every appointment and inform their doctor of any history of exposure to asbestos. This will ensure that the patient receives a timely diagnosis.

A doctor will make the process of diagnosing mesothelioma by asking about any asbestos exposure in the past and conducting a physical exam. He or she will also order a chest X-ray and CT scan to look for mesothelioma, or other issues that affect the chest wall and lungs. A blood test can also be ordered to determine the presence of antibodies that suggest asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuits exposure.

Once mesothelioma has been diagnosed and a biopsy is performed to examine tissues under a microscope and confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy can be carried out using VATS surgery (a minimally-invasive procedure) or by the use of a CT guided needle aspiration.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms typically manifest as breathing problems chest or back pain and dry cough. These symptoms could be mistaken for the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia or lung cancer. A mesothelioma patient may also experience bloating or constipation, and an unidentified loss of weight. Peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen and a feeling of fullness or a blockage in the stomach. Other symptoms that may be experienced include an appetite loss, fever and fatigue. Mesothelioma can trigger severe symptoms and even death, especially if it is at an advanced stage. Early detection is crucial to getting a mesothelioma diagnosis quickly and starting treatment as soon as you are able to. Contact a mesothelioma expert for advice if you or someone you know is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms.

Treatment

The mesothelioma treatment options depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Patients should select mesothelioma specialists who are familiar with the disease and is able to discuss their needs for treatment. This is referred to as shared decision making.

A patient's physician will first order imaging tests, including chest X-rays. They can reveal changes in the lung's lining, such as thickening or the build-up of fluid. They can also reveal whether mesothelioma settlement has spread other parts of the body. Other tests include CT, MRI, and PET (positron-emission tomography). The tests for blood can also reveal high levels of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma.

Following a mesothelioma diagnosis doctors will recommend an invasive biopsy. This involves taking one small portion of the lining to examine under microscope for mesothelioma cell. Doctors can take a tissue sample using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments), a type of keyhole surgery, or through a CT-guided core biopsy which uses a needle guided by images taken of the CT scan. A biopsy can identify the mesothelioma type, which will influence the way that the cancer responds to treatments. Epithelioid mesothelioma cells respond better to treatment than mixed or sarcomatoid cell types.

The most popular mesothelioma treatments are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. These treatments can prolong the lifespan of a patient by 30-40%. In certain instances, doctors may recommend immunotherapy. These medications stimulate the body's immune system to fight cancer. They are often used in conjunction with other treatments, including chemo and surgery.

Mesothelioma patients should always consider taking part in a clinical trial since it can result in more effective and innovative treatments. These trials are conducted by researchers to find new ways to treat mesothelioma and improve the quality of life for patients.

For patients who have advanced mesothelioma, the goal of treatment is to lessen symptoms and keep them under control. These symptoms include pain, breathlessness, and swelling. Surgery, such as the pleural drain, may help with breathing difficulties. The TTFields home treatment that may be recommended for patients who are unable to undergo surgery.

Prognosis

If doctors can determine the stage of someone's mesothelioma they can formulate better treatment plans. The prognosis is based on the nature and location of the cancer, what part of the body it affects and the general state of the patient's health. Patients with more advanced mesothelioma could live less than a year after diagnosis, however treatments can extend the life of patients.

Mesothelioma occurs when sharp, loose asbestos fibers irritate the linings of the abdomen or lungs. The cancer can form as a single tumor, or it can expand as it grows and reaches nearby tissues. In advanced stages, mesothelioma may cause fluid to build up in the stomach and chest cavity, causing a cough as well as other respiratory issues, abdominal pain, swelling and weight loss.

Doctors use a combination of procedures and tests to detect mesothelioma. They may conduct an examination of the body, take samples of mesothelioma cancer for testing and look over a person's medical history. People with mesothelioma often have an exposure history to asbestos Exposure legal help, which is the main risk reason for the disease.

A biopsy is the most accurate method of confirming mesothelioma. It takes tissue or fluids from mesothelioma that is cancerous and examines them for malignant cells. Doctors test blood samples to determine whether mesothelioma has different types of cancerous cells. Epithelioid cells are most common and respond well to treatment. Sarcomatoid cell, which is seen in fewer instances, is more difficult to treat.

If you are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma doctors may be able to treat the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity using a procedure called pleurodesis. This involves the use of a chemical to scar the lung lining and stop the buildup of fluid. They can also drain the fluid using a tube placed in the chest (percutaneous thoracostomy).

Doctors aren't able accurately estimate the lifespan of peritoneal mesothelioma patients, because this type of cancer usually develops in the the abdominal cavity. However, peritoneal mesothelioma responds well to treatment and has a higher prognosis than other forms of mesothelioma, which tend to develop more rapidly.